Tang Chen felt certain that between him and Zhang Taining, there had to be a Shi Zhile. Otherwise, who would bring an outsider along to a blind date?
The closer he got to the agreed meeting spot, the more he dawdled, not wanting to go.
This was just… too weird!
“Why aren’t we moving?”
Zhang Taining, seeing him lingering, poked him twice on the back.
“Come on, in ten minutes it’ll be your scheduled time. Don’t be late—that would be so rude.”
Rude… sure, but what about an outsider like Ning tagging along? Didn’t that count?
Tang Chen rolled his eyes, ready to snap back, when his phone rang.
“I’ll take this.”
He shot Zhang Taining a disdainful glance, shoving him aside like a little dog, and answered the call.
Zhang Taining huffed quietly, moving a bit to the side—he had no intention of eavesdropping.
Ever since joining BZ, his sleep schedule was messed up, but with Tang Chen around, it wasn’t too bad. Meals synced with Tang Chen, sleeping around the same time.
Tang Chen, with his “small zero” self-discipline, never stayed up too late, so Zhang Taining had no choice but to adapt if he wanted to train with him.
Sometimes, he even got pulled into testing new skincare products or helping Tang Chen pick outfits. Over time, Zhang Taining had grown taller, leaner, and even his face became unusually clean and fair. Standing there in trendy clothes, he drew a fair amount of attention—though he had no idea.
One person, however, had been staring at him for a while.
Tang Chen was still on the phone with his mom… why was it taking so long?
Zhang Taining muttered to himself, hands in his pockets.
Man, standing alone outside the hotel is so awkward…
“Hello?”
A voice suddenly spoke nearby. Zhang Taining instinctively turned.
Who was it? Why?
“Hello, are you a local? I want to ask for directions—do you know how to get to XXX Hotel?”
A man in a long coat and scarf stood behind him, looking troubled.
“Oh, isn’t this the hotel?” Zhang Taining pointed straight up at the sign without thinking.
He wondered why the guy wasn’t looking up at the sign—he wasn’t even that short.
The man paused, then looked up, realization dawning.
“My phone navigation messed up… it kept telling me to turn left even though I was already here…” He chuckled, then quickly scanned Zhang Taining and casually added,
“Thanks, I’d have kept circling otherwise.”
He paused, smiling naturally.
“I was hesitating to go in… what about you? Why are you standing at the entrance? Waiting for a friend or coming for a meal? If it’s a meal, why not go in together?”
Zhang Taining’s eyes followed Tang Chen as he walked away to take his call.
“No, I’m going in soon. I’m here for a blind date. You go ahead.”
Blind date!
The man’s eyes lit up with interest.
“What a coincidence! I’m here for a blind date too. Could you be the one Tang Aunty mentioned—”
“Zhang Taining! My mom isn’t coming; I’m going in by myself!”
Tang Chen suddenly dashed over, gripping his phone, cutting off the man’s words.
Zhang Taining’s eyes lit up.
“You see! Good thing I said I’d come along. Otherwise, you’d be alone on a blind date. Awkward!”
He felt a little pleased with himself.
Tang Chen didn’t even bother rolling his eyes this time. He grunted, shoving his phone back in his pocket, muttering,
“My mom knows exactly how to trap me! She promised we’d all eat together… now it’s just me and the blind date. And she said the company suddenly has work—this trick is ancient! Isn’t she worried people will laugh?”
“Hey, maybe Tang Aunty really is busy. Still, this isn’t great—dishonest, not polite. But don’t worry, your older brother is here! How about that? I came to accompany you on your blind date. Didn’t I do the right thing? You’ve been whining the whole time—now what? Without me, you’d be so awkward. Maybe today you’d even dig three bedrooms and two living rooms out of your toes! A whole house would be yours!”
Zhang Taining puffed out his chest, looking proud.
“You have some nerve!”
Tang Chen charged over and grabbed his neck.
“How am I supposed to introduce you to my blind date? As a random hanger-on?”
Damn!
Hanger-on?
The man next to them twitched at their words.
“Hanger-on? Just say he’s your friend visiting—at worst, I’ll pay for the meal.”
Zhang Taining rolled his eyes, pretending to stick his tongue out, brazenly saying,
“…just like Ning. But my mom said she already coordinated with the other person’s mother. No need for us kids to pay.”
Tang Chen grunted twice and let go.
That’s when he noticed the man standing beside Zhang Taining—and he was quite good-looking.
Wait…
Tang Chen frowned.
Why was this person staring at him and Zhang Taining with that weird expression?
Zhang Taining also looked over, confused.
“Hey, didn’t you find the restaurant? Why are you still standing at the door?”
“You know him?” Tang Chen asked.
Zhang Taining shook his head.
“Just someone asking for directions. Seems like they’re here for the same place.”
The man finally realized. He glanced at Zhang Taining, then at Tang Chen, letting out a quiet sigh.
He forced himself to speak, extending a hand toward Tang Chen.
“If I’m not mistaken, you must be Tang Chen, the one Tang Aunty mentioned. I’m Shang Wang—here for the blind date.”
Ah?
Tang Chen froze.
Damn!
That’s him?
Zhang Taining was speechless.
The three stared at each other for a long moment before Tang Chen finally registered.
Damn! The name!
This really was his blind date!
Though…
Ahhhhh!
All the things he just said to Zhang Taining… the blind date heard everything!
This is social death incarnate!
If he made a mistake, it could kill him on the spot!
Why did fate send Zhang Taining to torment him?
Tang Chen’s glare slowly fixed on Zhang Taining.
Zhang Taining had only one thought: holy crap.
How did he know a random stranger just happened to be Tang Chen’s blind date?
Who could predict that?
The three stood there, eyes wide.
Finally, Shang Wang withdrew his hand.
“Better… let’s go inside and talk.”
Once inside, Tang Chen hesitated.
Wait… it’s a round table?
How do we… sit?
He was still fussing, while Zhang Taining, who had come in later, stared at him oddly.
“Why are you standing there? Sit down.”
He spoke as he casually nudged Tang Chen, and they both sat down together.
Shang Wang’s expression flickered briefly, but he stayed composed, sitting directly across from them.
Once seated, the three of them looked at each other awkwardly.
Luckily, perhaps thanks to Tang Aunty’s prior arrangements, the restaurant began serving dishes.
“Shall we eat while we chat?”
Shang Wang glanced at them politely, waiting for an answer.
Zhang Taining and Tang Chen both nodded in unison.
The three began eating.
“Whoa, this is really good!”
Tang Chen whispered in delight, nudging Zhang Taining with his elbow to get his attention.
“This—this is amazing.”
“Really?”
Zhang Taining took a bite, and immediately couldn’t help but comment.
“So sweet… isn’t it a bit too sweet? Aren’t you worried about your teeth?”
“I’m kindly recommending it to you, and that’s your response?”
Tang Chen subtly kicked the culprit under the table.
Heh.
???
Zhang Taining widened his eyes at him.
Had he said anything wrong? It really was sweet!
He tried to hold back.
But he couldn’t!!!
Lowering his voice, Zhang Taining warned, “Don’t forget, your teeth aren’t great! Be careful eating something this sweet!”
Tang Chen snorted.
“So what if I eat a little? I didn’t eat much. Besides, I’m sharing because it’s delicious—I’m not hoarding it all for myself. Why the attitude?”
Zhang Taining choked on his words.
Damn… in this way, it really is his fault.
…
Shang Wang sighed quietly across the table.
He watched as the two young men leaned so close to each other that their heads nearly touched. His blind date hardly spared him a glance.
He already knew—this blind date would end without a single spark.
Knowing what Tang Chen was like, he no longer held any expectations for the date.
But…
Shang Wang couldn’t help glancing at Zhang Taining. That boy had a fierce look, yet softened after Tang Chen spoke a few words, even actively helping him with desserts. There was a trace of regret in Shang Wang’s eyes.
He could tell that this boy was definitely a “one.”
The problem was… a true “one” was hard to come by.
He’d finally awakened his gay side, hoping to meet someone, but this one already had a childhood friend and playmate. Though seemingly still in the innocent stages, it wasn’t something he could intrude upon.
The more Shang Wang thought about it, the more pitiful he felt.
As he ate, he struggled to swallow. Eventually, conscience prevailed, and he stood up.
“I’m stepping out for a smoke. You don’t mind if I step away for a bit, do you?”
Looking further might make it impossible for him not to fall for a boy like Zhang Taining—ferocious yet sweet.
Zhang Taining and Tang Chen both looked up.
They awkwardly nodded.
At the same time, a thought flashed in both their minds—damn! Almost forgot we’re here for a blind date / to accompany Tang Chen on a blind date!
Tang Chen silently watched Shang Wang walk out, and his phone on the table rang at just the right moment.
Damn it—his mom.
“How’s it going? Are you getting along with Shang Wang? Hand him the phone so I can greet him.”
On the other end of the line, Tang Chen’s mother held a notebook, with two lines written at the top:
Blind Date Tips
- Always personally confirm whether the child is obedient or rebellious. Ideally, call and have the child hand the phone to the blind date to ensure everything goes smoothly.